It’s official. The Angels have landed C.J. Wilson to the tune of $75M over 5 years. He’s going home, and getting a very nice contract. Can’t blame him, but still quite a bit of animosity towards him from Ranger fans, and it really started during the post-season and escalated to it’s peak today. While I’m on board with this feeling, let’s not diminish what he did for this organization, especially over the last two seasons.

2010: 15-8 with a 3.35 ERA, 170K and 93BB over 204IP, 7.5k/9IP

2011: 16-7 with 2.94 ERA, 206K and 74BB over 223.1IP, 8.3k/9IP – improvements across the board; All-Star and 6th in AL Cy Young voting

He wasn’t a big game pitcher, which has been well documented (All-Star game loss, poor post-season showing), and you have to wonder if that is something that will always plague him, of if that’s something he can figure out. I’m hopeful that we don’t get to see him show us either way.

With the signing of CJ and Pujols on the same day – arguably the top pitching free agent and without-a-doubt the top hitting free agent, the Angels have made quite a splash. This doesn’t always carry over onto the field. Only time will tell, but regardless, this only increases my excitement for Rangers baseball in 2012.